How many kinds of dust are there in the home building industry, and which ones are harmful?

There are several types of dust in the home building industry that are harmful to breathing:

Mineral or silica dust — This dust comes from cutting countertops made of stone or quartz, brick, stone, or tile.
Gypsum Dust – Breaking or grinding drywall creates clouds of dust.
Sawdust – Sanding, sawing, or milling wood produces a lot of fine dust particles.

The U.S. Department of Labor warns that exposure to wood chips can cause a variety of adverse health effects. They include dermatitis, allergic respiratory effects, asthma, allergic pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and possibly cancer. In addition, compounds in wood juice can irritate the skin and cause other allergic reactions when they come in contact with mucous membranes.

You should always wear a quality mask when cutting or sanding anything.